24 Jan – Memorial for St. Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor of the Church
St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622) was born in a castle to a well-placed family. His parents intended him to become a lawyer, enter politics, and carry on the family line and power. He studied at La Roche, Annecy, Clermont College in Paris, and law at the University of Padua. He became a Doctor of Law, returned home, and found a position as Senate advocate.
It was at this point that he received a message telling him to “Leave all and follow Me”. He took this as a call to the priesthood, a move his family fiercely opposed. However, he pursued a devoted prayer life, and his gentle ways won over the family.
He became a priest, and a provost in the diocese of Geneva, Switzerland, a stronghold of Calvinists. He was a preacher, writer and spiritual director in the district of Chablais. His simple, clear explanations of Catholic doctrine, and his gentle way with everyone, brought many back to the Roman Church.
He was ordained Bishop of Geneva at the age of 35. He travelled and evangelized throughout the Duchy of Savoy, working with children whenever he could. He was a friend of St. Vincent de Paul. He turned down a wealthy French bishopric. He helped found the Order of the Visitation with St. Jeanne de Chantal. He was a prolific correspondent. He was declared a Doctor of the Church.
- Patron Saint Index
Eph 3:8-12
Jn 15:9-17
‘I call you friends’
Last week, I celebrated my birthday with a friend I have known for 20 years, since we are both born in the month of January. We reflected on our friendship and how we have kept in touch, although we have very different pursuits and interests, and are now based in different countries. We knew while we sang the birthday song and made our birthday wishes, that one of the greatest blessings in our life is our friendship. We thanked God for the gift of us both choosing to be friends to each other all those years ago, and remaining friends to-date.
As the book of Ecclesiasticus 6:14 -16 reads:
Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter; whoever finds one has found a treasure.
Faithful friends are beyond price; no amount can balance their worth.
Faithful friends are the elixir of life, and those who fear the Lord will find them.
Reflecting on today’s Gospel passage, Jesus shares with His disciples that He chooses them, and calls them friends. However, unlike human friendships which require mutual choice i.e. both persons must choose to be friends with each other for the friendship to work, Jesus’ gift of friendship does not require our choice to be friends with Him. He states in clear terms that His friendship with us is not conditional on our choice, when He says, “You did not choose me; no, I chose you”. Indeed, Jesus chooses us no matter what our choice is. And while He does not ask us if we would like to be His friend, He desires our friendship by telling us to “remain in [His] love” so that “our joy may be complete”.
Today, as I celebrate my actual birthday, I thank God for giving me life, and Jesus for blessing me with His friendship. It is a friendship which has given me the strength to withstand the roller coaster of life. I also thank God for the good friends he has blessed me to journey with, especially those who have encouraged me to live out my faith. I pray to continue to share in the friendship of Jesus, by keeping God’s commandments; to use the positions I have been given for the service of others; and to spend more time talking and walking with Jesus so I truly experience the complete joy of living in union with Him.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Stacey Fernandez)
Prayer: Lord, we pray that we may model our lives after the way you love and befriend us. Help us to remain in your love and keep the Father’s commandments.
Thanksgiving: Jesus, I am not worthy of you, yet you have chosen me. I truly thank you for choosing me as your friend. Thank you for assuring me that as long as I remain in your love, and bring your love to others, I will share in your joy which is complete.
OXYGEN 
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